The impact of MHeLP: Building confidence around mental health through leisure

Ever felt unsure about how to support someone going through a tough time? Or wondered how to look after your own mental health while juggling work, life and everything in between? You’re not alone and that’s exactly why we created the Mental Health eLearning Program (MHeLP).

At Belgravia Leisure, we care deeply about the wellbeing of our people and the communities we serve. In partnership with the Belgravia Foundation, we co-designed MHeLP, an online training course that helps build confidence, understanding and practical skills around mental health.

Developed under the guidance of international mental health and physical activity experts and tailored specifically for the leisure and community sports sector across Australia and New Zealand, MHeLP equips learners with the tools they need to better understand their own mental health, recognise signs and symptoms in others and feel confident providing support when needed, whether that’s a family member, friend, colleague, facility member, or community customer.

The training reflects the local context, offering relevant resources and support services, and features diverse imagery, videos and case studies that represent the diverse communities we work within. 

The impact of MHeLP is clear. Recent analysis of more than 7,000 learners between 2021 and 2025 shows significant improvements: 

• Confidence in recognising mental health concerns in themselves and others increased by 14.7%. 
• Understanding the impact of physical activity on mental health rose by 8.5%. 
• Confidence in adapting programs to support individuals with mental health conditions improved by 21.4%. 
• Knowledge of local mental health support networks grew by an incredible 28.8%. 

The importance of prioritising mental health

With mental health conditions affecting nearly one in two people over a lifetime in both Australia and New Zealand and relatively new Work Health and Safety legislation placing a clear duty on employers to address psychosocial risks, programs like MHeLP are not just valuable — they are essential. 

At Belgravia Leisure, the need is clear: 

• 19% of our workforce who participated in the recent Belgravia Census (971 total participants) reported living with a diagnosed mental health condition.
• 28% of our workforce who participated in the recent Belgravia Census (971 total participants) said they had seen or considered seeing a medical doctor or allied health professional about a mental health concern in the past 12 months.
• Our internal incident reporting system shows that psychosocial hazard incidents have increased by 29% year-on-year.

Belgravia Leisure, Belgravia Foundation and the entire leisure sector is uniquely placed to respond to these challenges. With our focus on physical activity, community connection and inclusive environments, we are in a powerful position to support both our workforce and communities with positive mental health strategies. 

Completing MHeLP is a vital step in creating a safer, more supportive environment for everyone we engage with — from colleagues and team members to community members and customers. It’s a free, accessible, and evidence-based resource designed to empower everyone to make a difference. 

If you haven’t yet completed MHeLP, now is the time. Together, we can break down stigma, build stronger communities and ensure mental health is a priority for all.

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